Courtallam (குற்றாலம்)

Courtallam (குற்றாலம்) or Kutralam, Spa of South India, is apanchayat town situated at a mean elevation of 160 m (520 ft) on the Western Ghats inTirunelveli District ofTamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earned it the title the Spa of South India. The falls carry a good amount of water only when there is a rain on the hills. Season begins from June of every year till September. The South West Monsoon brings in the cold breeze with mild temperature. From October to December North East Monsoon sets over in Tamil Nadu and the climate is cold and the rains are very heavy sometimes. Sometimes the falls get flooded and people are not allowed to take bath during floods.

water falls

Courtallam has nine waterfalls.

·         Peraruvi (main falls) the biggest falls in Courtallam, is about 60m high. The flow of water is interrupted by the Pongumakadal, a 19m deep crater and comes down with greatly reduced impact, making a bath safe.

·         In Chitraruvi (small falls), the flow is thin. Here naturally separate places for men and women are there to bathe.

·         At Shenbagadevi falls, the water flows through shenbaga(Michaelia champak) trees. There is also a temple there, dedicated to Shenbagadevi Amman. Shenbagadevi leads to Chitraruvi.

·         About 3 km from this is Thenaruvi (honey falls), 40m high and cascading between two large stones. In places where there is no water, one sees big honeycombs. Thenaruvi is very dangerous and it is restricted for public. But it is very common to see people vising and bathing in Thenaruvi.

·         Aintharuvi (five falls) has five separate cascades of water form this waterfalls.

·         From the orchard above flows Pazhathotta Aruvi, the 'VIP falls'. Only VIP's are allowed in Pazhathotta Aruiv.

·         The Pazhaya Courtalla Aruvi (Old Courtallam falls) used to fall into a valley from between two rocks. The valley was closed and the rocks were broken to change the course of water and make bathing easier. It was reopened later.

·         The artificial Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls) has a moderate flow of water which collects in a lake and is diverted for irrigation, sometimes tigers visit this place for water.

·         There is another small falls inside the Government Horticulture Park above Five Falls, but it is off limits to the public.

The three major waterfalls reachable by road are the Main Falls, Five Falls, and Old Courtallam Falls. Other waterfalls like Shenbaga Devi Falls and Honey Falls are reachable only by trekking on the mountain.

Places to visit

1.  Therkumalai Estate can be reached from Honey falls in 1 hour, which is roughly at 2000 ft altitude.

2.  Boat Houses near the Five Falls and Old Courtallam Falls.

3.  Snake Park nears to the Main Falls.

4.  Aquarium near the Main Falls.

5.  Children's Park.

Nearby Tourist Interests

Tenkasi is a town located in the foothills of the Western Ghats near the Courtallam Waterfalls, close to the Tamil Nadu - Kerala border in Tirunelveli District. Tourists prefer staying in either courtallam or Tenkasi and the close proximity allows tourists to frequently travel between the two. The Palaruvi Falls is across the state border in Kerala.